Latest / College Hockey Mouth / Episode 21: Marisa Bonilla | University of Florida Women's Hockey
Transcript
- speaker-0: Welcome back to College Hockey Mouth episode number twenty one. Our friend Danny Bohm is back from France after a roller coaster of events went on. We'll start with him. Danny, are you feeling better? Congrats on all of the media work you did, but ⁓ how's it going? speaker-1: It's going pretty well. Yeah, I mean it it was just like some bug that was going around. I mean it it's travel, so like and it was a a ton of people. I think the the count was like we had sixty five people that we brought from city to city, town to town. Our little convoy. So you you kinda half expect it. ⁓ but yeah, what a what a great time. ⁓ the guys did great. There were some fun games, different atmospheres over there in Europe. ⁓ you know, there's a lot of chanting. I don't know if and you know, we'll we'll we'll get to this one. when we, you know, fully dive into it. But during that last game, there was a guy that was standing directly under me that sang from the opening puck drop to the very last second of the game. Like a final score was six two and and Buddy was still singing. And they were all pride songs, like all like, you know, go team, go team, but in French. So that was cool. Yeah. Super, super glad I got to do that. But ⁓ yeah, let's let let's get this ⁓ the back half of the season going. I'm ready. speaker-0: Love it. Glad to see you're back in one piece. We know the travel conditions were treacherous. So rocking the Bears jersey, back in it, feeling better. Gavin, what's going on in your world over there in ⁓ Lakeland? Yeah. speaker-2: You know, school second week, so out of the syllabus week and into the ⁓ thick of things. Luckily it's an internship semester for me. You know, we're starting to get close to graduating, wrapping it up. ⁓ for that. But ⁓ yeah, there's plenty of hockey this weekend, so I'm really excited. And also the lightning, we've talked about ⁓ being back and forth. Well now they're on a nine game win streak and they're up on the Flyers by two right now. So Gobolt. speaker-1: Yeah, speaker-0: You know, it is a fun time to watch ⁓ currently going on at this time recording, just the ⁓ Red Wings versus Carolina Hurricanes. By the way, first and Atlantic Red Wings. And ⁓ you know, they had that Jersey retirement ceremony for Sergei Federov, one of the greatest two way forwards in NHL history, pretty much the gold standard. Long time coming for a fan of that team, just because there was some history with him and the the team and how that his trade and him leaving on all ended up. But it's such a special moment and ⁓ Fun to witness, you know, just as a moment in hockey history. ⁓ for anyone that doesn't know the game too well yet, be sure to look up Sergei Fedorov highlights. ⁓ it's it's quite the trade. You can go down a rabbit hole pretty quickly. But ⁓ good week. Called some hockey for FAU. Did some USP H L game as well on Friday and ⁓ a lot of fun just getting back in the saddle here with the second half and the push for the playoffs that start, and we've got a lot to get to in this edition. speaker-1: Devin, can I can I interrupt for a second? Cause I just noticed that you're wearing a Detroit hat. I'm wearing Chicago gear. And I'm pretty sure our guest is from Minnesota. I we can pull the curtain back a little bit. We'll give her a big ⁓ introduction in a little bit. But Marissa, you're from Minnesota. Are you a Vikings fan? Perhaps? speaker-3: I am in fact a Vikings fan, unfortunately. speaker-1: ⁓ we've got like the whole NFC North here. Yeah, that that's crazy. 'Cause it i it's funny. Yeah, well no, they're the Vikings. But ⁓ speaker-3: Yeah. Vikings. speaker-0: We can we can all agree on one thing. We all hate the Packers. speaker-1: That's true? Right. And that's what I was about to bring up because the first lady of CHS, Montana Nell, you know, the wife of Kyle Nell, the commissioner, she made sure to wear her Packer shirt over in France as many times as possible, knowing that that was what the playoff matchup was gonna be. And ⁓ me and ⁓ Jack Walsh, who's the head coach of Tampa, you know, we got ⁓ I don't know, we we we didn't have high hopes for the that game, but we just, you know, throwing daggers at her. Like why wear that trying to prov provoke us, yeah. Yeah, great guy, Jack Walsh. He he was he was ⁓ fun to talk to. But ⁓ I dropped a little ⁓ I waited a respectable amount of time to to text her something nasty about the Packers and I just did it like an hour and a half ago. And ⁓ yeah, she's been blowing up my phone ever since. But ⁓ yeah, go Bears. Hey, by the way, but do the Lions when do the Lions and Vikings play this weekend? Do they have playoff games? speaker-0: You know, the we have what, I think thirty eight weeks until the next ⁓ season starts for the NFL. So ⁓ speaker-1: Man, that's crazy 'cause the Bears play next week in the next round of the playoffs. speaker-0: They do. Yep. Okay. Just yeah, you you know, you can be that guy. I mean we we can get into it, but you know, this is a hockey podcast. I think our viewers are sick of you talking about football for ten minutes every start to an episode. So, you know, I'm gonna digress. Football's over, hockey season's on. My team is better than yours, that's for damn sure. In that regard. speaker-1: We're all on the college hockey south team. That that that's the point. speaker-3: Well. speaker-0: We're all we're all part of the same spectrum here in the world of ACHA. So, you know, why don't we why don't we pull that curtain back? Let's let's talk about the real person that matters in this edition of College Hockey Mouth. She is the leading scorer and a trailblazer of the University of Florida women's hockey team. Please welcome Marissa O'Neill. speaker-3: Hi guys, thanks for having me. Super excited. speaker-0: Thank you for coming on. We are delighted to have another player that seems to put up gross numbers every single week in the ACHA and a somewhat new program. Before we get to all of the talk about the success of your school and the ⁓ NASA scholar you are at that is University of Florida, tell us about your background growing up in ⁓ Stillwater, Minnesota. speaker-3: Yeah, so I actually didn't move to Stillwater until I was about six. The first half of my early childhood was spent here in Gainesville. Both of my parents did research here at the University of Florida. It's my mom's hometown, Stillwater. And so we moved up there and my main sport was soccer. That's what I had played growing up. That's what my dad played in college. And it was through a teammate on my soccer team, she invited me to come to some free skate, something or other. And I was just like, Sure, 'cause I never really you know, didn't know much about hockey. ⁓ but I went to that and, you know, just thought it was so much fun and that's what introduced me to hockey. And then from there I kept playing, ⁓ youth and then into high school. So yeah, I think early on I from Florida originally, so I didn't know much about hockey, but once I moved to Minnesota, it's such like y you can't get away from it. Hockey's everywhere. Most of the people there, you know, they either play hockey or they know how to play. They know about the sports. That's yeah. It's pretty pretty natural. If you move there you're gonna get involved in the sport. speaker-1: Yeah, it so you're a second generation Florida ⁓ student. What was it like and we'll get through get through your like high school career as an athlete, but was it like a foregone conclusion that you were gonna go to Florida pretty much like throughout your life? speaker-3: It was. I mean, like when I I'm here, you know, you get asked like, ⁓ you're from Minnesota, like what made you choose Florida? It's always just like I kinda knew I wanted to come here. Obviously it's a great school. Like I applied to s you know, schools in the Midwest, Minnesota, UW Madison, but you know, I've always loved the Gators. I grew up watching the Gators on Saturdays and yeah, it was it was a foregone conclusion that, you I I wanted to be a Florida Gator. speaker-0: So speaker-2: Obviously you s you mentioned playing soccer growing up and you still play soccer today, right? speaker-3: Yep, I do. I play for ⁓ our club team here at UF and then over the summers I play on ⁓ a WPSL team, which is ⁓ kind of like an amateur thing for a lot of college athletes. So I play I play over the summer and I play here at school. You know, it's just something keep me busy. I love a sport still Yeah, I do I do play soccer still. And I also coach it, ⁓ very involved in the sport. speaker-2: So where do you find the time to play soccer and coach soccer and play hockey? I mean, plus on top of your grades. speaker-3: Yeah, I mean the the soccer, at least when I'm here at school, has kind of been pushed off to the side since I've started doing the ho I mean, last year was our first year. I'm with the hockey stuff and this year, you know, as president it kinda like especially the behind the scen behind the scenes stuff, it it did take up a ton of time and so, you know, I wasn't making every soccer practice or every game, but it's also like we practice twice a week or you know, three times a week in season. So it's not the huge of a time commitment, but You know, I like the balance of I have my time to do my school work and then, you know, logistic things. We don't play hockey very often because obviously there's not a rink in Gainesville. So we only go and skate, you know, a couple of times a month. And so that honestly is not that huge of a time commitment either, besides those weekends that we do play. So, you know, I I do find my time to manage it, it's not overly difficult. speaker-0: That dual sport athlete background. You know, Gavin did so much research into this. I can't believe he didn't he didn't bring this up. I mean, you're a state champion in high school. You guys beat Adina, is it pronounced? I just know him from, you know, high school hockey. They're one of the best programs in the state, just in sports general. You won a championship at US Pink Stadium. Boy, tell us what it was like leading your team in that regard and and winning a title. speaker-3: That's awesome you guys did your research like that. ⁓ speaker-0: All gash, all gav. speaker-3: That's awesome. Yeah, I mean I've I played on the team for for four years and and we would make that state tournament. Playing at the US Bank Stadium is like I I don't know, just so incredible because obviously it's huge. It was brand new at the time. It was just built, what, twenty sixteen, twenty seventeen. So yeah, I mean that yeah, my senior year ⁓ our team was made up of mostly seniors and it was girls that, you know, I had grown up playing soccer with and yeah, I mean we we made it to the tournament and we I think as a semifinals we faced Edina and they're undefeated. They're like ranked number two in the team nationally, which, you know, is is rare for ⁓ Minnesota teams. And, you know, they have players that are committed D one everywhere in the country. And we're down two nothing at halftime. And somehow we call our way back three two. It was kind of like a I I don't want to say Cinderella, 'cause we were, you know, ranked fourth or fifth in the country, like going into the turn or not country state, but ⁓ you know, we were not expected to to win that game, especially being down two nothing. Came back and did it. beat ⁓ another team in the state championship, won nothing, and brought home the f the first state championship since the nineties for our school. So that that was pretty awesome. I loved that experience. speaker-2: I gotta ask, you know, the Vikings have been to four Super Bowls, haven't won one, and you guys go in a soccer championship before they win a Super Bowl. So I mean, like what's that feeling like as a Minnesota fan? You just go into US Bank and you just win a soccer championship. speaker-3: Yeah, I it's kinda cool. I mean, we were the visitors, we were in the visitors' locker room. But, you know, obviously I was I mean I mean, I have been a big Vikings fan. It's been been a pretty tough go, but ⁓ yeah, it was really cool just seeing like the behind the scenes not behind the scenes but like the stuff US Bank Stadium that, you know, fans usually don't get to see. And there was a time actually that ⁓ me and and my best friend, my goalkeeper, It was after I think our semifinal win against Edina and we'd just gone up and done some interview or something and we're like trying to find our locker room, but we were really just trying to go and find the Vikings locker room. And we did and we just like glanced and like this is so cool because it is cool that you know, that's our team, the Vikings, and we get to play at such a huge stadium like that. speaker-1: My favorite part about that question was that that had not almost had nothing to do with the Vikings, but Gavin had to throw in like a sneak diss. Well the Vikings The Vikings they've they've been to four Super Bowls and they've lost all of ⁓ terribly. Brutal losses. speaker-2: Hey, ⁓ like I said, I do my research, you know. ⁓ I found that and I found ⁓ hey, don't don't let me research things. Someone else start looking up. speaker-1: Our research staff is pretty unbelievable, Mr. I don't know if you can tell but speaker-3: Yeah. Mm-hmm. speaker-1: ⁓ nine. speaker-0: ⁓ not JJ. Well, we'll see. You know, not a Michigan fan, by the way. So that guy can kick rocks, you know. For Gavin, you know, I was trying to subtly give him a layup there, but you know, he he talked about it, right? Like you have the leadership background. It it seemed natural for you to kind of lead the charge. Did you lead the charge starting a program at Florida for the woman's side? ⁓ and you know what what went into that process and how you guys eventually got your feet on it yourself? speaker-3: Yeah, so it started with the men's team and Matthew Burkle Jasick, the president for the men's team a few a couple of years ago and he's the one who originally like proposed the idea. I saw it on Instagram at first. It was like ⁓ calling all, you know, women's players at Florida. And so I emailed it and, you know, there was meetings over that that summer. It was Sarah Pagles actually was the first president last year. She's still, you know, heavily involved. She's a treasurer this year. She did a lot of the ⁓ original heavy lifting of you know getting us situated with the school and you know in talks with CHS too as far as you know getting our feet set. But I think as far as like first getting started, there's so much credit that can be given to Matthew and his work in ⁓ advocating for a women's team at Florida, just you know, to our university, to our rec sports ⁓ stuff. Anytime like I had a question, Sarah had a question, you know, he was always there to answer it. And so huge, you know, props to him. But I I think As far as last year, you know, Sarah and I and Alyssa who graduated last year, it was the three of us who, you know, put in a lot of times just over Zoom, you know, in person, just working on the the logistics of making a team, which is something neither of or n none of us had ever done before. So it was difficult. But ⁓ you know, obviously got it done. speaker-1: Yeah, ⁓ I always hear great things about about Matthew. You know, al always ⁓ hear that he's just like super such a really nice and generous guy. ⁓ so that doesn't surprise me. But how about the uniforms? That's one that's one thing I have to ask because the I believe it's the blue one, and we saw these I I saw these for the first time when you guys played U Tampa last year at ⁓ the Lightnings arena. I did I say the Lightnings? How dare you? It's one of those nights. At the Lightning Arena. No. So that was technically correct, actually. That was dramatically correct. All right. speaker-0: Benchmark arena. speaker-2: It was Amelie last year. It was Amelie last year, so we'll we'll call it in past tense. speaker-1: Yes, but it it was it was ⁓ Gasparilla weekend, you guys played Utampa and those uniforms ⁓ it's a it's a gator holding the stick, yes? But that blue uniform. ⁓ my god, I love that. Who was in charge of ⁓ making the uniforms for the team? Because I I'm a fan. speaker-3: It was a group effort. That logo was given to us again by Matthew because, you know, with just the logistics stuff, we weren't ⁓ we weren't allowed to use the Gator head logo or even like, you know, the fator script logo or any of those logos that are official for the University of Florida. And that one we were able to use. We got it approved. Like if you look close, there is a F on the Gator's shirt that's, you know, holding the stick. it's kind of the stick is like in the way of the F, so you can't really see it. So you can kinda like we got around it like that way too. As far as the designing of the jerseys, we knew it wanted to be blue. Sarah got ⁓ mock-ups. We were using Burbero at the time. And at first, you know, she would send them to Alyssa and I and we'd, you know, give critiques. And at first we didn't have the gator teeth on it because ⁓ you know, just at first we didn't have that. And to me it looked almost exactly like the Edmonton Oilers, like third jerseys, like not their classic ones, but when they did like the more gator blue kind of thing. And then we decided to add the teeth to both like here, like the sleeves parts and then the socks and then more of a Florida feel. speaker-1: Yeah, I see what you're saying. Yeah, yeah. Mm-hmm. Huh, yeah, I I I never thought about it that way. But that that was also a game on NHL Ice. ⁓ how many games had you guys played up until that point against Utampa at Gatsby weekend? speaker-3: That was our third game ever and every game had been against University of Tampa. speaker-1: Okay. So, you know, what what are your memories of that? What was that experience like for you? speaker-3: It so cool. you know, just from the locker room being kinda like right out by the entrance and you know, before the game you come out like I came out and just like looked around and it's like super cool. I've played at the XL Energy or no, it's called the Grand Casino Arena now, the Minnesota Wilds Arena. speaker-1: XL Energy Center. It it sounds it sounds more right that way. speaker-3: ⁓ Yeah, I agree. I don't know, just like the quality of ice is so like really nice, you know, the locker rooms, the facilities and everything. And then playing it, you know, was super fun. Like I said, it was our third time playing them. We'd lost the previous two and we were down two nothing, but came back to two and so is went into overtime. We ended up losing, but it was like, you know, super cool and and really rewarding to ⁓ you know, it's never nice to lose, but you when it's to a team like University of Tampa you can hold yourself to have a little bit of pride there when you're losing. Just by one to a team of of that caliber. speaker-0: You know, you you and I wanna kinda go back to some of your your days growing up, you know, the Minnesota hockey day is ⁓ a national tradition for your state. And ⁓ you know, you you mentioned to us in some of these questions that that was some of your favorite memories. What do you recall from hockey day in Minnesota and just did you get to play outdoors or anything like that? Like what comes to mind? speaker-3: Yeah, I I mean every year it's in like the last week in a January and y whether it's your youth team or you're a high school team, a lot of like you get to play outside usually during in and around that time, which is like I think the coolest thing ever. so I ⁓ specifically it was held in Stillwater, my hometown in twenty seventeen and so I think I was maybe eighth grade at that time. but I remember, you know, playing outside against Forest Lake, like a rival just you know, on a rink like really close to our our home arena. ⁓ and then they ⁓ you know, the big events are the the high school games, because that's huge thing in Minnesota. It was Stillwater versus Eden Prairie, I think. And I don't know ⁓ if you guys know N Noah Cates, who's a forward for the Philadelphia Flyers. He went to Stillwater. So I remember, you know, he was a huge deal there. So I remember watching him versus ⁓ I think Casey Middlestadt was on Eden Prairie at the time too. Yeah. No, it was just like super cool like speaker-1: Not a big deal. speaker-3: There's so many people outside, like, I don't know, just watching those games and there's all events leading up to it in and around wherever it's being held. Obviously it ends with a wild game in St. Paul. There's just a sort of buzz around it when it's, you know, that time of year that that weekend. ⁓ and it was super fun, you know, when I was playing hockey to to be a part of it. speaker-2: It's almost s sounds better than Christmas. Like I'm I'm upset I didn't grow up in Minnesota now hearing about this. Like it I kinda missed out on finding hockey younger. Like I was all like, ⁓ the NFL's so cool and now and now I'm like, ⁓ the NFL's like whatever and it's all about hockey. So I maybe I maybe I ⁓ grew up in the wrong state. speaker-1: Did you see one you see one open ice hit in like the playoffs and the crowd goes, No my god, you're you're you're hooked for life. speaker-0: Fall it takes. speaker-1: I'm I'm gonna jump in guys. ⁓ so this is year two for your for your program. And like you mentioned, you you ⁓ took over as team president and it's a it's a little bit of a different look this year because you're a part of the conference now, which means you have a postseason to play for, you have conference opponents. What's been the biggest thing that you've noticed from year one to two and like what that competition has been like for your team? speaker-3: Yeah, I mean, I think, you know, we've taken a big step forward. We've gotten more girls and that's that's a big thing. But, you know, once this is our first year officially in CHS and, you know, the standard raises, so you have to, you know, scheduling those ten games was, you know, pretty difficult because we don't have a home ring, so you know, we had to play around a lot of the football weekends and other events going on, like for our university and for other universities to be able to make sure we can travel ⁓ quite a bit. ⁓ money material issues, maybe not issues, but just like thinking about that a lot more has been ⁓ you know, something that's not been as fun. Which, you know, speaking of like I did not realize how expensive it was to play hockey down here because I know like Minnesota, I think ICE is $150 an hour and like coming down here and I'm getting risk I'm getting bills for for the rank and it's like, are you sure like you're not scamming me with this? And the coach is like, Yeah, no, that's normal. And I'm like, ⁓ wow, okay. But things like that. I mean it's been super exciting to get to, you know, play different teams. last year we played Tampa, we had one game against USF and you know, we're getting to play newer teams like FSU and Miami and then really excited to play Clemson ⁓ you know, later this month. And yeah, we're just trying to, you know, get better each game, each week. And ⁓ yeah, like you said, there's stuff to play for. Like we want to make playoffs, we wanna do well. Even as a newer program, I think we have an opportunity to succeed. speaker-1: Well, I we we talked to Bella a few episodes ago about starting the program up with USF and you know, hearing the numbers she was talking about with Ice Time and then travel to different games and such and then uniforms and you know, it's it's really eye opening. ⁓ you know, 'cause, you know, you kinda just think about like what you see, like the the outside point of view and just like, why don't they schedule more games? Why don't they, you know, get out and play more? And then you think about you know, what it actually takes to make this kind of stuff happen and man, it's it's really eye opening and shocking, honestly. speaker-3: Yeah, a hundred percent. I opening even from like last year to to this year, you know, I I took on that like the role of president, like, yeah, of course, like I'll do it. I love this team, you know, I wanna see us to succeed. But all the stuff that has come along with it, like so many things that I did not, you know, think that I would have to think about or worry about. And we have gotten a lot of help. Like Kristen, our coach, has connected us with, you know, sponsors. Obviously the men's team has been very helpful in both advice and support. But yeah, I did not understand. what it meant to to run a hockey team until until this year. It's really eye opening. So speaker-0: That was kind of along my thoughts. Joking aside with Danny, like my thought process and what I was asking about to ask you here about the travel, right? You guys are all the way to community first igloo. So, you know, how does a a team, you know, and this is for a lot of like prospective women's players that might listen, like, what does it take to schedule that kind of vice time? What are some of the logistical things that you have learned as team president and that you've been able to take away from your time here at Florida? Yeah. speaker-3: So we we actually play at out of Advent Health Center Ice down in Wesley Chapel because that's where our coach our coach coaches a Tampa Bay Crunch youth team and so we go down there. I think it's maybe fifteen minutes further than Community Igloo, which I that's where our men's team goes. But yeah, I mean as far as scheduling, we do most of our games and all of our practices on the weekends because, you know, the driving is is pretty tough. I usually try to, you know, schedule them around three. two, four PM, you know, afternoon where we don't have to leave Gainesville at the crack of dawn and, you know, we might get back late, but you know, you're you're gonna have to cut some corners somewhere or something. So ⁓ yeah, as far as scheduling the games, ⁓ I think I mentioned before, just, you know, reaching out to all the other teams presidents and there's weekends and things like you have to avoid. So finding that time's a little difficult and then you like sometimes you find a date that'll work for both teams, you reach out to the rank and it's not available and it's like well so Things like that. I think, you know, checking everyone's availability has been a big thing 'cause we are not we don't have a very long roster. So we need all the girls we can at each of our games. And so making sure, you know, we can get as many girls on the weekends to these these games and to these practices that we can. We don't practice a whole bunch, money being a main reason, time being another reason. So yeah, it it's been difficult, but definitely doable. And you know, the both of the men's teams have been doing it for ⁓ however many years now and they've obviously had great success, so ⁓ definitely doable. speaker-2: And you guys are in a playoff spot and you've only got a couple games left, four or five if I'm correct. You you mentioned playing Clemson, that'll be a big one for two first year CHS programs. What does it mean in your senior season to be able to play for a CHS championship? speaker-3: It means a lot. I mean I'm really excited. I think yeah, we have a we have a series down in Miami, then Clemson, and I think we play ⁓ Utampa and maybe USF against. ⁓ you know, tough w like I think to to be able to play in the playoffs would be something that's super exciting. I think I hold a lot of pride in that. ⁓ just for like my team, you know, obviously a lot of the teams are are newer, but ⁓ just the amount of work that you know, we've put in and to be able to compete for something, you know, meaningful like a like a CHS playoff, CHS championship is something that's super exciting and I think it's something that, you know, me and my teammates are all looking forward to. speaker-1: Devin, can I say something next? speaker-0: Absolutely. I was waiting on you, Sugar. Thank you. speaker-1: Okay, I I can't believe we we haven't mentioned it yet so far, but ⁓ you guys played your first game ⁓ kind of a little bit later in the season, but since that point, you've been absolutely ripping it up. Like we have we we talk about certain players that you know, they make it hard on, you know, whoever decides three stars of the week because you don't want to just give the same people three stars of the week over and over again. But you're about to be on a list where we gotta put you on the shelf for a little bit. Like we can't keep putting putting you on three stars of the week. Did you expect to have this kind of success, ⁓ you know, this early on? No. speaker-3: I did not. You know, I actually I stopped playing competitively when I was fifteen. I've just been kinda, you know, playing around, horsing around on the outdoor rinks ever since. So I have been skating. I did not expect to, you know, come back and have the success that, you know, I have. I think soccer plays a big role. Big, you know, I play forward. I just love I love scoring goals. So I don't know, I think, you know, it's just competitiveness and obviously like my teammates are also, you know, amazing. We have so many good players on the team. Like individually though, like I did not expect it, you know, I just, you know, play hard, get past the net and just try to try to do whatever it takes to to score goals and help the team win. speaker-1: Yeah, yeah, pucks indeed. We get it. speaker-3: Get post and T just yeah. Establish the fore check. You know, you know how it goes. Yep. speaker-0: Yeah, for check back. Listen, ⁓ hockey is just a tinier and shinier version of soccer, right? So, you know, there's some correlation there. You know, I I think the last thing I'll ask you is is, you know, for players that want to join your team and and are looking at somewhere like Florida, non-traditional, we know hockey's blowing up in the state, and we know especially your school is prominent with it. What do you say to players that want to try and join a team? How did they get started? What's the best way to speaker-2: Check, pay, check, you know. speaker-0: To do it at Florida or even at the youth level when they're in the state. speaker-3: Yeah, I mean absolutely. I think like you said, hockey is is absolutely blowing up here, especially for women. I think it's so great that we have, you know, these these college teams to where like for example, myself, I came to Florida thinking I was not gonna play competitively ever again because they didn't have a team. But now that you these girls that are going growing up in Florida, growing up in the South or, you know, even the north, they can come to these big SEC schools or, you know, Tampa, USF, these kind of schools that, you know give you a very good education, very, you know, pleasant place to live, and you can also continue playing hockey, which I think is an amazing thing. So, you know, what I would say is to them is, you know, reach out, check the socials, websites, Florida sp specifically, ⁓ you know, sending emails, sending DMs to our Instagram, stuff like that. I think that applies for a lot of other teams too. Don't be afraid to do that. We'll try to get back to you. I think, you know, you wanna you want to pick a school where you're gonna succeed. academically and ⁓ that you know should be your number one focus. But, you know, if that team or if that school, you know, has a hockey program, I think that's just, you know, the cherry on top. And if you want to, you know, continue your academics and your college career and continue to keep playing hockey as a woman in the South, you absolutely have the opportunity to do so now. And I think that's something that's super cool. speaker-1: Yeah, that was that was ⁓ that was an awesome answer. Last thing for me is the the first thing first thing I thought of when ⁓ heard you were from Minnesota, like jumping back and forth semester to semester, like especially in the winter, going from Gainesville then back up to Minnesota. Do you do you get a little bit of a a little bit of a weather shock there from time to time? speaker-3: ⁓ yeah. I mean, I know when I came home for Christmas, I didn't go home for Thanksgiving this year, but Christmas, I don't know, it's like seventies or something down here for Florida and I I fly into to Minneapolis and it's zero and I get outside, I'm like, ⁓ gosh, like it's gonna long, long month. No, it's great. I do I do like mm, I can't say like I like winter, but I do, you know, I find myself missing it. Like I do enjoy the snow. I love ⁓ you know, skating. every once in a while skiing, doing those outdoor winter activities that you can't get in Florida and obviously seeing my family and friends. It is a bit of a shock though, 'cause like you come back to Florida and, you know, I think today, first day of class, it was ⁓ pretty chilly. If it was this fifty five, sixty degrees and, you know, I'm out here wearing like T shirt and just like thin pants and everyone else is like, This is so cold. Like I wanna go back home. I'm like, no, this is pretty nice. So just things like that, yeah. speaker-0: Some might call it a Midwestern summer when ⁓ you get that up north in Minnesota. And I I can recognize the accent too, you know. Gets it gets people outdoors. That's awesome. Well well, you know, really appreciate your time, Marissa. Trailblazing at Florida. Love to hear about your story. We'll see you on Chunchakov Island. Danny does didn't give a name to it, but that's what our three stars if you keep getting on, it's called. That's your ban list. Keep doing well, keep scoring goals. Yeah, yeah. We'll see it play. speaker-3: Yeah, for sure. speaker-1: Don't be don't be afraid to pass from time to time, by the way. You you you had like back to back like ten goal weekends. Don't be afraid to pass. speaker-3: After while I I thought that I'm like, d people are gonna think I'm such a puck hog. But no, yeah, you're you're you're completely right, yeah. speaker-0: Hey, you know, I wouldn't complain, right? You know, thirteen goals to to five apples. It's it's it's an alright ratio. You know, you're you're the main star. But ⁓ hey, you know, really appreciate your time and ⁓ good luck the rest of the way. I thanks to Star of University of Florida, Manissa Marissa Bonia for coming on the pod. And you know, guys, a lot went on this week, especially in Danny's world. So like I'm gonna make this as simple as possible. ⁓ we're gonna talk about each of the games. speaker-3: Okay, thank you so thank you guys so much. speaker-0: But before I do that, Danny, give us like your your spark notes of your experience on that trip. speaker-1: God. First of all, I've got to ⁓ give credit where credit is due with our staff because they did an incredible job outside of just the broadcast, which, you know, had its ups and downs, obviously. You know, from the photographers, videographers, so Ryan Beattie, Anna Ray Jones, Zoe Lwell, Peyton Pritchard, Kelly on social media. They were unbelievable, just exemplary work throughout the entire trip, always super flexible. And it man, it It was difficult at times for sure, ⁓ with the different circumstances that we'll we'll talk about. But always had like a great attitude and were were fun to be around. So super, super happy to have and Brooks as well. Brooks was awesome with the graphics, some really, really cool stuff. He he put together the game day graphics, I thought were unbelievable, like the postcard looking ones from the dare the various cities. And then on on the broadcast, Luis DePolo, Charlie Charlie Seraphian, you know had to deal with some European Wi-Fi and other issues, but ultimately those guys when the lights on, they're gonna perform and they did. And then I was also there. But yeah, that that that that's basically my my spiel. It's a it's about what a European trip with a hockey team would be. You know, you can use your imagination. Yeah, ⁓ a lot of ⁓ morning headaches, you know, some foggy afternoons and then hockey at night. And the hockey was actually really good. some really fun hockey games, which was super, super pleasant because I thought that was the one thing 'cause you never really know ⁓ what you're gonna get going over there where it's not really like a comparable league per se and it's not like you can tangibly compare the teams and what what the matchups would look like, but it was super fun. speaker-0: The college hockey south European All Stars. Once in a lifetime trip for these guys, and it was a resounding success. On all fronts, every single player on every single roster around the conference contributed. And starting with you guys in the Roan Dragons, what a fun game from start to finish. Back and forth. Went to overtime, a shootout tons of different scores. Christian Cuccio from Florida Atlantic Men's Division Two. Will Marshall from Gavins Florida Southern Moccasins? Lyndon Palmer. out of Middle Tennessee did all very successful work. And, you know, Ethan Dambrum who had well we're not going to get into it, but a very interesting trip on his side of things. ⁓ and Campagne, Anthony Capagna from Florida Atlantic had shootout goals. Just takeaways from a Rowan team that really looked like they were up to snuff. And the Kalachaki South All Stars need to get their feet going, but once they did, it became an entertaining game. speaker-1: Yeah, I mean it it it feels like it was, you know, four to five years ago that game ⁓ by the by this point. yeah, I mean it it was about what you would imagine for a team that's comprised of kids from like seven different schools, ⁓ that aren't familiar with playing with one another. You know, the first like ten minutes or so were kinda ugly and rough. And plus the travel and everything. And Ruan plays together. You know, that that's a a team that plays together throughout the year. But you know, that that was the lone blemish on the schedule. And man, it it would have been so cool to bring back a four four and ⁓ record and you know, the boys were up three to one in that game. But yeah, that was a heck of a hockey game. Ron's got a couple of real studs on that team. I remember number eight, who's a moose. You know, I'm looking at I I was on camera, for anyone who doesn't know. So I'm looking at this little screen. So if if anyone had any grievances or issues with the camera work. Direct them at me. But I'm looking at this little screen to follow the game. At one point I looked up and I saw this number eight on Ruan, who was money. I was like, God damn, that guy's gotta be about six five. I felt like the commentator from ⁓ Florida Gulf Coast when when they were playing Mesa. He's gotta be about six five. ⁓ but yeah, they they they were a solid group. Luke Haggett ended up w winning ⁓ player of the game, even though he took the loss. He was he was awesome in the shootout, gave the boys a chance. Yeah, Another thing that unfortunately the crowd was super filled in. It was just on the camera side. And so after a few of their goals, I I swung it around and they were doing basically like the six seven dance after they scored, which was unfortunate. ⁓ but that was a good crowd. There were a lively crowd. They were constantly chanting. At one point there was like a four year old kid who was kicking me on the side while I was on camera, which, you know, this the stadium pulse was up for sure, trying to keep the camera steady. Yeah, that was a fun one. It just feels forever ago. I can't remember exactly like my game notes. speaker-0: Well, you know, the takeaway is that the atmospheres were something different. You know, w Charlie would would mention on the broadcast the singing and the dancing. He said that's something that they gotta bring to college hockey south rinks. I don't know if you'd have enough fans to make that work, like you guys saw out there. I challenge groups like I was just about to say, yep, the the aeronautical school where they they packed that up our balcony. I think Lewis would love to get something going, Gavin. Yeah. speaker-2: We talked about it and Charlie mentioned on the broadcast it was one guy. I don't think you need a whole Emery riddle. You just need you just need one guy. You need one guy who's gonna go for sixty minutes. I don't know, like I go to hockey games and my throat if I'm yelling at an NHL game after ten minutes I'm done. Like my throat's done. So to go sixty minutes and chant that whole time like it's a European soccer match is insane. speaker-1: Well that was in that was in Amiyan actually, which was the last game. I'll and I'll get to that because that that was I have opinions on that for sure. But Rwanda it was like all over the place. That was like a you know, it's unfortunate 'cause like I said, ⁓ you know, across camera side, ⁓ across from the camera it's was hardly filled in, so it looked like, you know, there wasn't much of a crowd there. But it was super filled in and it w you know, it was a mixture of the CHS convoy with the families and everything. So yeah, that was that was a a really, really cool atmosphere. speaker-0: The trip over to Strasbourg was a lot more of a success. Actually, resounding success. A five nothing shutout for the CHS All Stars. Brendan Ogle from Middle Tennessee. Hat trick for him. Trace Coward from Tampa with a goal. And then Sam Watson, an ⁓ three owl, the lone one of that trip for that squad, netted one, Ogle player of the game. You know, Danny, that was the you know, correct if I'm wrong. What's what's the difference between Strasbourg one and Strasbourg two that for fans that didn't know? speaker-1: Strasbourg one was the U twenty team and Strasbourg two was U twenty five. But for the most part it was a pretty similar roster. Strasbourg two had obviously some older players mixed in and some players that were definitely older than twenty five. It is what it is. We weren't complaining. But you said the trip to Strasbourg was successful. It was nearly unsuccessful and completely aborted because ⁓ that was speaker-0: Just gonna get to it. Yeah. Yeah. You you guys got snuck got stuck in in what I can only describe as the blizzard of eighty seven of France. Like guys are out shoveling the snow and the ice with their sticks. Like, what the heck happened there? Got got some great photos out of it. speaker-1: ⁓ got some unbelievable photos. And more than just from the players, ⁓ by the way. ⁓ yeah, so the bus drive from Rouen to Strasbourg, which is Rouen is ⁓ almost near Normandy, if anyone knows where that is, on the coast of like northwestern ⁓ France, and then Strasbourg's all the way in northeastern, basically on the German border. So it was gonna be a about a five hour bus drive. But I don't know, at one point, like When I fell asleep, we were still moving. And when I woke up, we were not moving. And then when I woke I fell back asleep and then I woke up again and we were still in the same spot. So I got a little concerned there. It ultimately wasn't really the snow per se, because it wasn't snowing when we were stopped. It was just the fact that there were it was a two lane highway, two lane highway. I got got some bad memories of those. speaker-2: PTSD for dance. speaker-1: Two-lane highway and both of the trucks were stuck and couldn't get up a hill. And so like I said, one truck thinks it's faster than the other, tries to get around the other, and then couldn't get up the hill. So they were completely blocking everyone behind. And yeah, there was like no police there. So I really don't know how long we were stuck there for. It was at least three to four hours. Ultimately, it was a f it was supposed to be five hours, and the bus trip ended up taking thirteen. So we got yeah, the The game time got pushed back a little bit. But that was like the cleanest game of the entire the entire ⁓ trip. So five to nothing, you know, a hat trick from from Ogle. Dumumbrum assisted on all three of those, by the way. You know, those guys had insane chemistry. And, you know, the MTSU guys in p in particular, you know, they got a bunch of hype in the in the fall semester, and it's obviously deserved. You know, the those guys showed out. I wish I had the numbers offhand, but they had like a crazy amount of points contributed to the team and it was ⁓ yeah, bunch of great dudes too. speaker-0: You guys still kept the, you know, goals on track. I mean, a lot of scoring and it got more diversified in game three against the Black Star and and a much closer game. It's interesting you talk about the guys being really good in game two and game three. These felt like the the peak of the whole trip when we saw the best chemistry come out of these players and game three against this time the U twenty five Black Star team, right? Tyler Hofberg from Tampa, two goals, Lyndon Palmer and Brendan Ogle. Some middle Tennessee guys theme going here. Keep this one. But talk to us about the end of that game where it's getting down to the wire. We're pretty much tied up. And you know, CHF, I mean, they came back, right? They were down by a goal, if I recall rightly. And what was it what was it like being in that that atmosphere? Did it feel like a bit of tension, like a playoff atmosphere, the way that they rallied in there? speaker-1: There was definitely some unrest because that was the the last two games were in particular super chippy at various points. The first two were definitely very friendly. Now there are penalties here and there, but the last two were like straight up like we're gonna go at each other and you know, best man's gonna win. Which was great. I loved that. ⁓ you know, put someone through the wall and then teabagged them, which was a sight to see. The picture is nuts. But yeah, they it was sloppy. They went up two ⁓ and then kind of ⁓ It was it was the penalties, right? Like the emotions got the best of everyone. You know, I think Will Marshall ended up taking a pen because on that play he stepped in to protect Reagan Lyon, which I don't think those guys have the best of relationships. but you know what? When you're when you're wearing the red, white, and blue for CHS, that that's your brother out there. And shout out to to Captain America, as the boys were calling him, Will Marshall. He he stepped in there and Looked like he was ready he was ready to ⁓ drop the mitts. ⁓ but yeah, big comeback in the third and and the boys were fired up after that. speaker-0: I was waiting for Gavin to step in and talk about his boy, Will Marshall, Captain America. I saw a great story post out of him, such a character. What impressed you most about the the captain of ⁓ an already great CHS team, Gavin? speaker-2: Yeah, I mean there you know, I get to see Will Marshall play quite a bit, obviously being that I go to the same school as him and cover the team. But what I have to say stood out is, you know, one, him stepping up for Reagan Lyon. We talked about it off air that Reagan Lyon is a goon. But that but that's what Tampa's mentality is, and that's he's good at that. Every team needs a player who's going to get under player skins and draw some penalties and Reagan Lyons that guy and Will Marshall, they play against each other. It's a big rivalry, Tampa and Florida Southern. They hate each other. But like Danny said, you put on that uniform, the USA, and it's a whole different thing. And there were a couple of times where I saw Will look like he was going to step up and fight. And then actually he was the one breaking it up, which typically you don't see too much. So definitely him wearing the C was a different Will Marshall than what you see when he's playing for Florida Southern. speaker-0: You called him to Team USA like Louis DePolo. I thought that was so just ⁓ humorous to me because, you know, there's a couple of different team USAs. This was, you know, obviously Team CHS, but the jerseys looked a lot like a a darker team USA letter style. I I mean, who designed that sweater? 'Cause the reveal was huge in front of the Eiffel Tower and everything. speaker-1: Well, that that was our man ⁓ Morgan Brooks. You know, we gotta give him credit where credit is due. He he designed everything. He was the Verbero rep on on the trip, on top of doing the graphics for our social media. So huge shout out to Brooks. Those uniforms are awesome. But yeah, that I think that was the joke going through customs on the way to France was that ⁓ you know, w there they were like, What you know, what are you here for? Hockey. Like what team? Team USA. What whatever. Yeah, we're we're team USA. ⁓ So we just j just ran with it. Yeah. Hell yeah. USA, USA versus France. And they are speaker-0: The USA 'cause it's the South. That's the the biggest part of the USA. speaker-1: When they did the breakdown in the huddle it like one, two, three, USA every single time. I swear. So speaker-2: Yeah, I remember seeing the video of ⁓ Christian Kucia leading the the charge there from the bench. speaker-1: ⁓ he's he's another absolute character by the way. I d I didn't really know much about Cooch before the trip. He is he is ⁓ he's one of a kind. speaker-0: somebody that's seen a lot of FAU games and and heard about his stuff from the bench, yes. And you got a snippet snippet of it that Mike Dupp they did on the Instagram page. Go check it out was gold. I think that's peak of what Christian Cucci is all about. Just a goofy human. And he he compliments a guy like Rocco Bruno really well. So when we wrap this thing up, you guys went and took on the Amons Gothiks, if I'm saying that right, and this one was a real team affair. You had six different goal scorers in this one and I could take the time to name all out, but the guy that you chose to focus on was Joseph Dre in a six three win where he blocked a ton of shots. I love this. I love this pack a lunch mentality. You know, Danny, mentioned to us about a chippy game that you said, ⁓ and the effort that the boys made to close out this trip in the right way. Okay. speaker-1: So this was the game where our friend the singer, he was sitting directly below me. He was literally one ⁓ two rows below me. And literally from from the drop of the puck, he was nonstop and about four minutes into the game realized that he was just gonna keep going. And Brooks was doing the scoreboard. ⁓ he was like producing for the stream. And I looked at him like four minutes into the game and he was because that's when all the travel snafus happened, I don't know if we're even gonna talk about it 'cause I don't wanna body bag the the airlines, but ⁓ You know, a whole bunch of stressful times, which probably why everyone crashed out during the game. But I looked at Brooks like four minutes in and he was like, I swear to God that I'm gonna do an eagle dive onto this guy 'cause he just won't shut up. But by the time the game was over, absolutely loved that guy. ⁓ nonstop. And it was the only reason why there was any like energy in the crowd whatsoever. Everyone else was like church mice, but he would get chants started, ⁓ the people were singing, and our vantage point wasn't great again to see like you know, how many people were there, but there were certain times where he would get like full on, you know, songs going on and, you know, like couple hundred people singing at the same time. It was like, Yeah, this is pretty cool, you know, these are a bunch of club hockey players and they're and they're singing. But yeah, ⁓ I think it was like three or four players got kicked out during this game, pretty sure. speaker-0: The ending was certainly something to admire because it felt like that like international feel of the USA guys, they just wanna beat and batter everybody. But that got Thiek Squad, you know, you know, like the the handshake line I thought was gonna be a little ⁓ little hasty there, but they ended up getting a good photo of it at the end. And shout out to our boy Brooksy, like you mentioned. Love that guy. Really did a a tremendous job the whole weekend and the graphics helps us out with the podcast. Who was I gotta ask this about just the entire trip, like Were there any cool exchanges with those European guys or like locals when you guys were just perusing the streets of France or whatever s ⁓ city you guys were in? speaker-1: personally didn't talk to any of the of the ⁓ French players myself and any interactions that I heard from like the the guys I probably can't say on here they probably just get cut out. But Brian Beattie, who was the one of the photographers, he was between the benches for the the the Strasbourg two game, which was you know particularly nasty, a lot of chirping back and forth. And ⁓ he said one of the one of the guys in Strasbourg ⁓ had a chirp. It was like you guys p pay forty thousand dollars a year to play in ACHA, shut the hell up. And it's like, man, that guy knows ball. Like that that's that that's pretty that's pretty good for a French hockey player. speaker-0: He did his research on I mean, ⁓ you should, right? That's the scouting department. That is a good one. Yeah. That's a good chart. speaker-1: Yeah, so that that that made me chuckle. I was glad to see it, honestly, because w from what I heard last year it was like the European trip, it was like a bunch of men's league games. And you know, with with all the good times that were happening, like on the off days and sightseeing and stuff like that, it almost would have been like a drag to go see like a bunch of like half assed hockey. ⁓ and it certainly wasn't that. It it was physical, the boys were standing up for each other and they wanted to win. ⁓ I think at one point during the last game, a Zamborski from K S U Who's got a bum knee. He was telling me all about his knee. He was like prone diving. Like it's game seven of the Stanley Cup final to block a shot. It was like, Come on, dude, like, you gotta play the rest of the season. ⁓ speaker-0: Love it. And we mentioned Joseph Dre from UCF, you know, packed, I mean, everything into that one. You know, it it was a team effort and what you love to see, just the pride and it sounds like from your experience, everybody got what was intended out of it. A European trip, both on and off the ice, friendships, relationships. So many of those guys supporting each other in the comments of the posts on Instagram I saw. And I think that's special because now those guys will have a connection for the rest of their college careers and Wherever that leads, elsewhere post grad. So successful Paris trip. Glad you guys, I think, made it all back in one piece. Everyone's getting recouped and ready for the rest of our season. And and boys, you know, getting into now the second half. This is ⁓ the push for the playoffs. Can we coin a term? Like, is this now? We have just over a month from CHS playoffs. Can you believe it? The season is almost wrapped up and this is crunch time for so many guys. Let's talk about each of them in What we can describe as a as a conglomerate of all the divisions, starting with some ACDCs, Georgia Tech and Florida State. Georgia Tech and ⁓ two team took on Florida State A C D C and the Yellow Jackets got a sweep there, five nothing and six to one. UNF, North Florida, I don't think we've talked about this team much, at least from, you know, a college hockey standpoint, but they took on Jacksonville and the Dolphins whooped them nine to four. speaker-1: One point to make it ties in with Europe. Alex Jensen, who's a huge part of that Florida State team, he had an absolute snipe, went bar Mexico against Amiens in that last game in France. He will not be playing the rest of the spring semester because he went from Paris directly to Barcelona, I believe, because he's studying abroad this semester. speaker-2: Okay. ⁓ speaker-1: And that that's something that you don't really consider during a a regular, you know, athletic season, you know, for, you know, regular student athletes, you know, ⁓ varsy athletes, you don't really consider them ⁓ you know, going on studying abroad trips like that. But also Zoe Elwell, who was on our staff for this trip, member of the South Carolina women's team, ⁓ will not be playing this semester, ⁓ 'cause she's going to London, I believe. Which really cool opportunities. It, you know, it's a little bit of a bummer because, you know. The team won't be at full strength, but you know, is what is what it is. Definitely an important note though, because Alex Jensen he's you know, he's got some filthy hands and he can shoot that thing. speaker-2: I mean what? He what, he's not gonna fly back on the weekends. They already make the trek out from ⁓ Tallahassee to Jacksonville for their games. What what's Barcelona to Tal ⁓ to Jacksonville? It's just a flight, no big deal. speaker-1: Yeah, I mean th they're they're basically as close to the rank and Tallahassee. Yeah. speaker-0: Three connections later. Well, I we we wish luck to Alex Jensen. You know, we could have used that in the game notes. I I like hearing that 'cause the thing is with FSU is they have a bunch of guys that are really smart and do what they can for their team. Ryan Chombre was the other Florida State Seminole that went on that trip and and he had a lot of success as well. So congrats to Zoe Elwell, part of our group chat as well in that fantasy league we always like to rag on each other about and course Alex Jensen for the trips abroad. speaker-1: One last Europe note that I've got to give props to these guys for. Chambre and then Cooch. Those guys who are forwards on their regular teams, they played on defense the entire trip. Christian Cooch you have played on defense. His goal against Rouen, I believe, was on the back end. And they played on the same pair, like starting off the penalty kill together, like a couple of forwards back there. I was like, I don't know who who's who's handling the defense on the bench, but you put those guys out first on the PK. I don't know, no little dice that you're A little dicey. They did a great job though. Go ahead, Doug. speaker-0: You know, you know, a lot of our defensive talk is about the team we're gonna mention here. Number twenty-four, Florida Golf Coast, the fifth and final team in the top twenty five for CHS. Took on a very good Saint Vincent college team out of college hockey east and the northeast. Two games set and they got the sweep. And guys, we kinda, you know, mentioned FGCU didn't look like themselves against Colorado Mesa, allowing a lot of power play goals, but this one was as an FGCU games. You'll see a one nothing win. Our guy, Nathan Walker, scored the game winner late, had the only one, and only gave up two power plays. BJ Ricardi, one of the best goaltenders in Division III with a 23 safe shutout. They followed it up with game two, winning three to one and a confident one. Again, BJ Ricardi, one goal out on 33 shots. I mean, FGCU, this might just put them back in that conversation for getting the national. speaker-2: Yeah, it was a it was a strong performance by FGC. I know after ⁓ game one McDonald's hated to see Nathan Walker come and scored that goal unassisted too. So I mean, watch out McDonald's. That do that dude was coming through. But yeah, this for sure and BJ Ricardi showed no rest coming out of the break. I mean, point five goals against average in a nine eighty two in two games is absurd to start off the spring semester. And there was a reason he was on top of the stats sheet for goaltender average in the first half of the year. speaker-1: St. Vincent, number fourteen in the country. They would be in the nationals field right now. ⁓ and with FGCU not playing many conference ⁓ opponents, that makes the conference look better, no? I mean, they're they went one and three against conference opponents, but they just went up and beat the number fourteen team in the country. Hey, CHS on top. But let's let's call Spade Spage here. speaker-0: That's also a St. Vincent team that's been to nationals in back-to-back seasons. And now with that, I I read they outshot them 44 to 23 one of those games. So it's not like they were just the defensive team. They did it both sides of the ice. Really strong performance out of the Eagles and a real bounce back performance after they ended the first semester, sort of on a sour note. Talking about some ACDCs, Miami traveled, or excuse me, Jacksonville traveled down to Miami for a two-game set. And the Dolphins continue to shine. They had a shorty from Jack Ferentino on the Miami side. ⁓ you know, the Dolphins go on to score three unanswered, win five three in game one. They win game number two, six to two. Nick Nalmoff had a hat trick in that, and their player of the series, Nalmoff, with five goals. And for the Dolphins team, you know, we talked to Derek Lodermeier a lot about their culture, so much about what they expect to do in a conference game. This means the world. I I'd say Jacksonville's Gotta be close to a lock now for playoffs. They're a really exciting team to see. And this Miami group, which we'll talk about next, their ⁓ three and A C D C teams, they mixed rosters. They had as much as a quarter of their rosters playing in all four games. A C D C and ⁓ three taking on FAU ⁓ two, which is a juggernaut right now. They've won six straight. Now, the Hurricanes didn't look so great in game number one. They had a a new goaltender there in in ⁓ And I think is ⁓ I'm blanking errors. I got my chart here so that I wouldn't forget it. Max Hausman, brand new goaltending tandem. Kyle Boduk started game number two, and game two was competitive. I mean, Miami took the lead four to three in the third, and the owls had to come back with big goals from their captain Leon Biller, who had five on the weekend, hat trick in game one. No Bruno, no Nick Olivario. No Anthony Capagna or Christian Cuccio and they got it done against a ⁓ a difficult Miami team. speaker-1: Yeah, and so you you mentioned that there were some players that played on both AC D C and the ⁓ three team. I I have some inside sources that that tell me they actually took a plane out and played in the Fiesta Bowl and were actually on special teams during that game as well. So they they were playing for all three teams. But good weekend for Miami. Who cares about these Hawks? No, I'm just kidding. ⁓ Miami going to the n did you see me with the Michael Irvin motion, by the way? With the belt. Unfortunately that's that's what that's what FAU gave to Miami. And Jacksonville definitely. But ⁓ yeah, I mean it it it was gonna be a weird one. ⁓ you know, not having Rocco and that it FAU's definitely a different team without him in it. And yeah, and and they're missing other guys. ⁓ I thought it a a cool note. ⁓ I'm pretty sure Campania doesn't have a point on the season ⁓ with FAU, but he had two over in Europe and was money, and he scored in the shootout too. So I don't know, maybe he comes back and he's you know a little ⁓ he's a little Kale McCarr. I don't know, Jared Spurgeon, he's shorter, so he he can't be ⁓ Kale McCart. speaker-0: He was the captain of the ⁓ three owl team last year. And he's a story because, you know, that that coaching staff, Christian Long, asked him to go down to the ⁓ three team, sort of mentor some of those younger guys. And this year he gets an opportunity back with the team that he was on and went to the final in college hockey south or even the national championship with. And yeah, it's been a rough start. He's been in and out of the lineup. I think it's just so great to see him get on that trip for his confidence and And we know how talented he is. You saw it, Danny. Like that's a a great story to follow the rest of the year. You're right. He doesn't really officially have a point yet. I think he's gonna be a contributor down the line. But but Gavin, did you have something on this? speaker-2: Yeah, I wanted to mention last week, Devin. We we talked about Jackson Neuendike and what it was going to take for Miami to stop him. What about Jake Murphy? Eight assists. Five of those were in one game. Don't get me wrong, Jackson Neendike scored, but Drake Murphy was all over the score sheet. I mean, like I said, five in one game, goal and three assists in the next. Dude lit it up this weekend. And so it was a big testament to how deep that FAU roster is because we mentioned it. No Bruno, Olivario, Kanya, Kucchia, like all those guys. resting up and Bruno suited up. Probably could have gone if he wanted to, but they they rested him. Gunner Stevens had a had a good two games. And that FAU squad is gonna be a a test for the rest of the year. And I'm imagining, like we said, Campania coming back. Some of these guys played some tougher competition potentially overseas. They might come back and the game might be at half speed for them. speaker-1: One thing, Devin, because one thing that FAU was you know, they were devastating at nationals last year. And I thought it was mainly because of their scoring depth. They just had dudes everywhere on every single line that contributed. And that's the reason why they steamrolled everybody. This year, it feels like the depth is lacking a little bit, especially against the ⁓ two opponents. And I think Christian Cucci has been one of those guys that, you know, they kinda need more of so that You know, Brady Beijer and Newendyke and Biller don't have to shoulder all the weight of the offensive production. And that was another thing that was super eye opening. I don't know, it shouldn't have been eye opening because of how much he scored last year, but man Coochie is super, super skilled, man. He he is he's quick, he adapted. I mean, it was pretty seamless. You know, back there there were a few hiccups back there on defense, but you know, all the talent in the world, it's just a matter of him producing and you know there If there's a spark there and he's able to be a consistent contributor, I think they have a much better chance at competing with, you know, the the the higher echelon ⁓ two Southeast team. speaker-2: Last thing. speaker-0: I'll say is, you know, on that FAU squad, I I've had the chance to see him play third line with Aiden Giorgiano, who he came up with from the ⁓ three squad. And yes, they have needed a little bit more depth out of him. Another guy that you look at a trip like that, he plays super well. He shows off some of the skill. He has that ability. You know, this is where like an FAU team that got steamrolled by Tampa, I know we'll we're getting long here. They have the potential to explode if they can get him and a lot of others going from that trip. So Fun stuff to see, and and they'll play Florida pretty soon here. One more series with USF next week. We'll get to that later. Vanderbilt took on an Indiana M3 team that was a big one for them because, you know, Vanderbilt is right there on the cusp line. I believe they're right now number 10, trying to get into college hockey South playoffs and brutal losses at the end. You know, there was a there was a late hooking call against Vanderbilt. It ended up being a penalty shot for the Hoosiers and Carter Emil. Sealed the game winner. Vandy also lost game two, scored thirty-five seconds left, the same guy ⁓ who completed the hat trick. Just, you know, Gavin, you had the notes on this. Like, what did you observe out of a Vanderbilt team that is fighting with those teams right on the the the cut line? speaker-2: Yeah, this was a game that Vanderbilt could both of these games were games that Vanderbilt could have taken. Game one, they lost that one themselves. I was looking at the score sheet, I was trying to figure out what P estimate, and once I once it clicked in my head, I was like, that's how they lost. Because I saw the penalty and I was like, five seconds, whatever. And then right next to where it says a male scored, just circled PS. I was like, what? And then and then you guys got the text in the group chat when I realized what it was. It's That's just kind of a crazy way for Vanderbilt to go out on a squad that's really good. And unfortunately that penalty sunk them. And then obviously Emile in the second game completed a hat trick, which is absurd. That dude had his hand all over that series for Indiana. And I don't think Indiana looked like a team that we mentioned it last week is forty ninth ranked in ACHA. They they looked really good in this series. speaker-1: Yeah, they're you know, it's computer rankings. So, ⁓ I think you take it with a grain of salt. ⁓ you never really know what's going on. I mean, we're we're about to talk about ⁓ you know, MTSU having their some of their players ⁓ they they canceled the Indiana game 'cause some players couldn't make it over. There's always stuff like that that pops up. So forty three or not, I think ⁓ hey, what what a weekend for Indiana sports, no? Carter Emile looking like Fernanda Mendoza, a little Heisman action boys. A very underwhelming Heisman, by the way. But ⁓ I don't know what I was gonna say. Tough look for Vandy though. You know, I wanna see the Vandy boys in the playoffs just to see their uniforms. ⁓ because they've got a nice set speaker-0: Sure. Yeah, it's been a tough go, right? Right now they're sitting at three ten, two and one. Haven't won a conference game, but they are ranked at this moment number thirty six. That puts them ahead of Tennessee at forty one and Kennesaw State right at the bottom at number twelve at rank number forty eight. Talking about also MTSU, unfortunately they had to cancel their game with Indiana. There were some flight issues that Danny mentioned earlier in the podcast for players that went on the Europe trips. So nothing happened for MTSU this week. The woman's side, Clemson took on Georgia. Entertaining seven to four game. Alyssa Loreno with a hat trick and an apple. Georgia was entertaining as well in this game and one of the best fights we've seen a team put up against Clemson, who's been scoring at will on pretty much everybody. Yeah. speaker-1: ⁓ Paige Oakes with the hat trick, all time leading scorer in the history of the women's division for CHS, so shout out to her. Still a little bit of a slower start, ⁓ scoring wise this year. ⁓ definitely not at the pace that Nina Molina and Chloe Valente have been at, which is, you know, it's not saying much. It's been a ridiculous pace, but I don't know if you you fellows noticed this on the score sheet. You notice who did not pick up a point in this game. speaker-2: I was gonna say I saw it, Nina Molina didn't score. Jan Tallian assists score zero goals. speaker-1: I was like, did did she take ships out there without a stick in her hand or you know, was she like, I don't know, did you know, did did she have to catch a flight like five minutes into the game? speaker-2: She convinced maybe she was in goal for that game. speaker-1: Yeah, exactly. Yeah, so I mean that that was that was ⁓ Yeah, that was the the standout stat for me from this game. But shout out to Alyssa Loreno who is ⁓ having a great season as well. She's on all the different leaderboards of her offensive stats. But Clemson continues to roll. speaker-0: That's an easy story to run with. Let's flip this to our game previews. Yes. And we're gonna we're we'll we'll get to the natty talk at some point because I do want to mention the football thing. Game of the week for this one is what you maybe talk about in a football sense, but it's a CHS important game. Tennessee ranked right now forty one and at number eleven in the standings, takes on a heater Clemson team right now, fifth in the standings, number ten in the nation at Knoxville Coliseum. Boys, you said it in the game notes, Gav, that this is a must win for Tennessee. Why is that? speaker-2: Well, there's plenty of teams on the bubble that are willing to take Tennessee spots in the playoffs, and Clemson is sitting at fifth. So this would be a good win for Tennessee to move up in the rankings, get a little bit safer, you know. No one's safe these last month and a half. If you're probably I'd say from like eight down, you're kind of in a touchy area where you could still fall out. I mean, obviously there's so many cards that have to fall perfectly for some teams and Your fate is in your own hands. So this is a game for Tennessee where they can't afford to lose this being eleventh in the playoff chase. speaker-1: Yeah, this is pretty close to being a first round playoff matchup. ⁓ which it could ultimately be, you know, ⁓ they're what, eleven and ⁓ five. ⁓ so there you go. I mean, yeah, Tennessee, that's they're they're a weird one, you know. Don't really know what what we got there yet. And Clemson seems to be, you know, finding their groove. You we're coming off the semester break, so you never really know. But after they lost a a a couple to MTSU No, they're playing some pretty good hockey and ⁓ you know, save for playing South Carolina ⁓ two, you know, they're you know, they're doing pretty well there. speaker-0: Tennessee's only won two conference games this year against Alabama at Vets Cup and then Tampa in an upset, but then they followed it up with a loss to Kennesaw State. They're trying to make it a third and fourth against a Clemson team that has done really well for themselves, aside from three games with five wins in conference. Florida Atlantic and the ⁓ two will take on USF, an exhibition, USF and ⁓ three squad. Although this is a matchup that could in the future be in the same division. The Bulls have been what they are all year. We know that depth they have. They're one of the best number three in the nation right now. And guys, for a game that doesn't mean anything in the standings, how how much do you expect this one to ⁓ be challenged for Florida Atlantic? And and do you think this is a series that USF is favored in? speaker-1: I wouldn't say so. I I think that's ⁓ I I would say that's a stretch. You know, we have to see what the what the situation is with FAU's players, see who's ⁓ you know, lined up to play. ⁓ but if they're full strength then FAU would have to be favored in in my eyes. ⁓ you know, USF, you know, they've they they've got the high end scoring. They take a lot of penalties. But you know what they they hung in there with With Tampa ⁓ two, you know, I I think that was in November. But I tell you what, I it it's almost certain to have a a full penalty sheet by the end of the game, you know. Th these Florida teams go at each other. speaker-0: This is an FAU team that takes a lot of them. Yes, USF also. By the way, did you guys know this? Grant Dietz, not only is he the leading scorer in M3, he's also the leading penalty getter on the team and the conference. And I believe he's top five in the nation in that. It's two sides of the coins with that guy. And we've already put him on Chunchkov Island. He's banned. He's he's just banned. Expect more out of him this weekend for this exhibition. M3 team takes on your Florida Southern Moccasins. Gev, we're gonna see you in South Florida. You're coming down here for ⁓ a home and home, Boca Ice, and then Lakeland Ice Arena. What do you think about the Moccasins in a game where it's it's virtually identical? These teams are one and two in that, you know, they're ranked pretty mid in the ACHA ranks. Like what can we expect out of Florida Sudden against the a struggle in the FAU squad? I speaker-2: I think what you see out this series is whichever team gets their offense rolling first, puts like one, two, three goals on the board early, is gonna pull away. We both of these teams have struggled when they've been faced with a deficit. Whichever team can get going early and find their offense. We know FAU's had struggles with it, but then again, they've gone and had five goal periods. So it just depends on which M3 Owls team shows up. And if Florida Southern can get rolling, they haven't had a game. Neither is FAU. So both of these squats. have to get their legs under him. It'll be interesting to see ⁓ Sam Watson and Will Marshall go head to head after being teammates. So I'm I'm a little bit excited for that one. I didn't know ⁓ Sam Watson went to Culver Military Academy is where Will Marshall went just like two years later. So both guys are products of a really good hockey school. So it'll be it that'll be an interesting matchup to see after them two being teammates for a week and a half. speaker-0: You can catch those games first at Boca Ice Center at 6 45 P. ⁓ Eastern. And then on Saturday, they'll travel to Lakeland. And Gavin will have the call in both. Excited for that. Kennesaw State takes on Austin P. This is the team right on the bubble. Austin P has not really had the year go their way. They are dead last in the standings. You know, Kennesaw State will have somewhat of a tricky schedule down the line. I I think they're gonna you know, play place them at Competitive teams. Guys, what do we think about Kennesaw State versus Miami getting in that playoff? speaker-1: Yeah, th I mean this and you know, I I've talked to the KSU guys over there. You know, that this is one of those series that that's super tricky because they don't really get anything out of it. You know, they're not gonna move up if they if they win, but they're gonna be penalized heavily if they lose. So it y it's not a and with conference standings and being based on ranking, but that's just like the reality of it. You almost wanna cancel a series like this because you don't really get anything out of it outside of just reps. And when you're in the fight for your life. I think you'd rather just have the weekend off than, you know, potentially ruin your your chance at getting the playoffs when there's no upside. speaker-0: Interesting point to make there about where they're at in their season. Those will both games will happen at the Atlanta Ice House on Friday and Saturday. Middle Tennessee travels all the way up to Lynchburg and Liberty. They're gonna take on their AAU Division III team and play at the famous La Haye Ice Center. MTSU has those guys back in Chunchikov, Ogle, and Palmer. Should be a good test for them coming out of the semester break. South Carolina takes on UCF and hopefully DeMumbram. Yeah. But by what you told us off air, it it seemed like a a rough go for him late in the trip. South Carolina takes on UCF in a interconference matchup from Flight Adventure Park. Now UCF is ranked fourth in the nation. They don't have many games, only eight on their schedule, but they've won three CHS games and UCF right now is number eight in the conference, thirty-two overall. It'd be kind of a long shot for UCF to to make the top sixteen that go to nationals Although I think this will be a competitive series. speaker-1: Yeah. ⁓ so it would be interesting to see if, you know, what if, you know, CHS gets an auto bid for for their conference tournament? You know, UCF that that was one of the things that stood out to me. I didn't know much about the UCF guys going into the trip. Didn't know much about Renner, didn't know much about Dre at all. And Dre missed, you know, a good portion of the early season 'cause he had, you know, some injury to his shoulder. But man, those guys are good. They they were on the same pair the entire trip. Renner is a beast back there. And he's just a son he's an SOB to play against. He's mean. But off the ice, he's just like the the softest spoken, sweetest dude ever. And you would never expect it. And then Dre's a character. So, you know, with with a healthy Dre and Renner back there, UCF. UCF could be a sneaky team. I mean, yeah, Carolina's been a weird one. Their rank's pretty high, even though they haven't played many games, so we'll we'll see. speaker-0: Fun one to keep track of in CHS. Flooding golf coast will take on Akron. This is a three matchup at Hertz Arena. And we talked about the great defensive performance. Eagles looking to keep it rolling and get themselves back in the national conversation there. Old Miss will play three games with Missouri, Arkansas, and Nebraska. Not an easy task. Those are all very, very good matcha teams. And one that, you know, Old Miss, they're having a pretty solid year, eight, six and ⁓ Good test for them in the middle part of America. Jacksonville, ACDC, and Florida State. Just a quick focus. This one at community first Igloo. I feel like ⁓ there's a lot at stake in this because of seeding. You know, Jacksonville is tied with Florida Tech for third in the A C D C. You know, Florida State coming off a good stretch, although they're gonna, you know, like you said, lose a player. Still have Chombury though. Like, what do we think about this being one of the best A C D C matchups all year? Yeah. speaker-2: Jacksonville last week put on a great performance. I mean, you saw what Coach Lodemeyer was telling us on the pod that they're a good fundamental group. I mean, we mentioned it. They almost had two months off of hockey and it didn't look like it. And they played three games. And they probably went to war on that Friday night against UNF. I mean, we mentioned that rivalry, but to play potentially against a half A C D C half ⁓ three roster, you know, they kind of mixed them up with Miami. They looked good. And like I said they That kind of cemented a playoff spot, I think, for them, and this is a chance to just get two more points and really really set them over the top. speaker-1: Yeah, this this ⁓ indeed this this group of four, I would say probably the the front runners, the lead of the pack for the conference. You know, who would you would expect to be vying for that a championship, cast any aspersions on ⁓ Embry Riddle or USF, but you know, it looks like Jville, Florida, FSU and Florida Tech are the lead dog. speaker-0: So an interesting one out at Community First Igloo up there in Jacksonville. On the woman's side, we got Marissa Bonia's Florida team traveling down to Miami, and the Gators are tied for second in the South Division with USF, both at eight points. Very much a good cushion if they can get a win here. And Miami kind of needs to fight in Jockey for a playoff spot. So we'll see what happens from that. Long trip to make for the lady Gators traveling to the Lady Hurricanes. Auburn takes on Alabama and an interesting one because Auburn lost to Alabama seven to nothing in the Columbus Classic last time they met. Auburn's look better though as the season has progressed, guys. Do you think Auburn has a chance to shock Alabama a bit and make this competitive? The Iron Cup, by the way. speaker-1: No, Gavin. speaker-2: I think obviously I'm sure I'm sure Auburn is still missing Cassidy Cross. I could be wrong. She might have healed up. I know there was a injury to her earlier this year, and that's a big part of that offense. I mean, she kind of controls the ice when she's out there, scores at will. Like you said, Auburn's look better. I still think Bama is the more complete team. They play a good fundamental game. I think Auburn makes it a better game than the seven to zero loss. speaker-0: Bullets and b speaker-2: on the first game of the season, but I still see Alabama continuing to show why they've been a contender in CHS the past year. speaker-0: Honestly is okay. I I think I love if we have listeners out there that will make something of it and try to pin it on their board. I want to see a competitive Iron Cup. You can watch that at the Columbus Ice Rink on Saturday and Sunday. Who knows? You really never know in hockey. Georgia, Auburn, and South Carolina are all tied for the number third spot at ⁓ number third spot? Number three spot with ten points. Finally on the women's side, South Carolina takes on Georgia. Classic SEC rivalry day likes to always point out and only two games remaining for South Carolina after this. So I mean if we're gonna talk about competitive games, this looks like the the most interesting matchup on the woman's side. speaker-2: Yeah, South Carolina, we mentioned it. They're ranked in the ACHA top ten ⁓ rankings. And so and they've got you mentioned it, two really competitive games. Clemson, big rivalry, obviously, and then Bama. So those are two really tough teams. I mean, Clemson is kind of started getting into some more of their competitive games. Obviously, played Georgia last week and had a strong performance versus them. So I I'm just excited to see South Carolina close out their schedule and how they Fair against two really tough teams. speaker-0: Down in the nitty gritty. That's kind of how it is for this women's division right now. They probably have the fewest games remaining of all of the divisions. And I think that makes it just that much more important when we solidify the playoff fields. So, boys, we know where Gavin's gonna be. Danny, what's you got going on this weekend? speaker-1: What am doing this weekend? Well, I know I'm gonna be watching the Bears on Sunday. They play the Rams and they'll likely play like crap ⁓ the first two quarters at least and make me question Yeah, make him making me question my will to live. ⁓ yeah, what else am I doing this weekend? I don't know, man. One day at a time, I suppose. speaker-0: You know, it was it was a great conversation, boys. I think we got really in depth with the the Europe trip and that obviously coupled with some great notes taken by Gavin got us in depth. This is what we do here. We're all about the CHS, baby. It's gonna be a fun ride to the end. Gavin, I'm excited to see you in South Florida. You know, you're gonna take the team bus here. Is this your second time coming to Boca? How many times have you been down here? speaker-2: So I haven't been to Boca Ice, so I'm excited. New rank. ⁓ obviously I was down in Fort Lauderdale for Battle at the Beach. That was fun. So yeah, this will be my second time. I'm super excited. I feel like ⁓ I feel like I've made it, you know. I mean, obviously like I haven't made it yet, but you get to travel with the team to go call a game. It's it's a pretty cool experience, you know. I can't imagine doing this a year ago or at AAU Nationals last year being like, ⁓ now I'm traveling with a team I'm calling games, you know, no big deal. But Yeah, it I I'm pumped. I'm ready to get down there and ⁓ watch two really good teams. speaker-0: It's all about the memories you make on those bus rides. I think when I was in central Michigan, I I I more fondly remember the songs and the ⁓ ninety nine bottles of milk on the wall versus when you'd play a U of ⁓ Flint that's three and a half hours away from our campus. So safe travels to you. We don't want any bus breakdowns that happened at Jacksonville on the way to Boca once. Good luck. And we'll see you there. You can catch Gavin and I on OWL TV this weekend. But wherever you're playing games or watching, be sure to have a good start. Get your resolutions in. It's the start of the new year. Bring some good mojo and to your team that are going to finish out their schedule. This has been episode number twenty-one of College Hockey Mouth, a sit-down with Marissa Bonilla. And we look forward to the next one. Thanks so much for listening and watching. Have a great night.